Course Overview: The Advanced Swiftwater Rescue workshop is aimed at trip leaders, boaters
paddling on more challenging whitewater, and anyone desiring opportunities to develop their rescue
skills. Critical judgment and rescue awareness, impacting both personal and group safety, are
emphasized throughout the course. Although new skills may be taught, this class focuses on developing
judgment and applying skills in rescue scenarios. Scope and content of the course will
vary, based upon participant needs, interests and experience.
Course Objectives:
Course Prerequisites:
Participants should have completed an ACA (or equivalent) Swiftwater Rescue workshop within
the past three years. Participants should be in good health and overall fitness, possess solid swimming
ability, and be comfortable swimming in moving current during river drills.
Minimum personal equipment for class: PFD for whitewater use (rescue PFD strongly recommended),
whitewater helmet, protective clothing suitable for extended swimming in cold water,
protective footwear, whistle and throw rope. Additional equipment may be used, depending on
the participant’s background and specific course content
Course Duration: One or more days (8+ hours)
ACA Level 5: Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Skills Course Outline
paddling on more challenging whitewater, and anyone desiring opportunities to develop their rescue
skills. Critical judgment and rescue awareness, impacting both personal and group safety, are
emphasized throughout the course. Although new skills may be taught, this class focuses on developing
judgment and applying skills in rescue scenarios. Scope and content of the course will
vary, based upon participant needs, interests and experience.
Course Objectives:
- Reinforce basic rescue skills, including swimming/self-rescue, throw ropes, and boat
- based rescue
- Practice skills during multiple scenarios
- Refine and extend critical judgment through multiple scenarios
- Develop and practice more advanced rope-based and in-water skills
Course Prerequisites:
Participants should have completed an ACA (or equivalent) Swiftwater Rescue workshop within
the past three years. Participants should be in good health and overall fitness, possess solid swimming
ability, and be comfortable swimming in moving current during river drills.
Minimum personal equipment for class: PFD for whitewater use (rescue PFD strongly recommended),
whitewater helmet, protective clothing suitable for extended swimming in cold water,
protective footwear, whistle and throw rope. Additional equipment may be used, depending on
the participant’s background and specific course content
Course Duration: One or more days (8+ hours)
ACA Level 5: Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Skills Course Outline